2013 salary: $5.5 million. (The Tigers signed Benoit to a three-year contract for $16.5 million in 2010 with the opportunity to earn an additional $1 million in incentives each season).

Internal candidates to replace him: Right-handed rookie Bruce Rondon entered this past spring training as the frontrunner to win the Tigers' closer role. He'd likely be the leading candidate again if Benoit doesn't return and the Tigers, once again, opted to fill the position with an internal candidate. Other candidates include left-handers Drew Smyly, if he is to remain in the bullpen, and Phil Coke, if he is tendered a contract. Melvin Mercedes served as closer in Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie this past season and is on the Tigers' 40-man roster, but he'd be a long shot to fill the spot given his lack of major league experience.

Why re-sign him?
It's clear the Tigers need to address their bullpen this offseason. They're unlikely to re-sign Octavio Dotel and they just declined the $3.25 million club option to retain Jose Veras for 2014. They need help, and Benoit has proven he can be of service. A successful setup man for much of his career, Benoit filled in admirably as closer when the Jose Valverde experiment failed early in the season. He got opposing batters to swing through 13.6 percent of his pitches, and posted 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Even more impressive? His consistency. He missed the entire 2009 season after undergoing surgery on his right rotator cuff, but has made at least 66 appearances in each of the past three seasons.

Why not re-sign him?
As it stands today, Benoit is one of seven relievers on the free-agent market who saved at least 21 games in 2013. My point? There's other external options, namely Joe Nathan, who voided his 2014 option with the Texas Rangers on Friday and officially became a free agent. Other free-agent candidates worth considering? Grant Balfour, Fernando Rodney, Chris Perez, Edward Mujica and Brian Wilson, who proved to be a valuable setup man for the Dodgers late in the season. Benoit is coming off a career year and will likely be seeking closer-type money and a multi-year deal. But his age remains a concern, as well as the money he'll command in free agency. Then again, he's younger than both Rodney and Nathan.

Prediction: The Tigers will re-sign Benoit to a two-year deal for $14 million with opportunities to earn lucrative incentives.